Random Read

Emily St. John Mandel is also the author of Station Eleven, which was so good I wanted to make everyone read it just so I could talk to people about it without spoiling anything. I’ve been meaning to read more of her work ever since.

Last Night in Montreal is a short novel with a mysterious woman who can’t stop running and dead languages that describe the indescribable. Honestly… I’m nerding out over the language stuff, mostly, so that might need to factor into my next to-read 🙂

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This is one of THE best, most motivating, vegan podcasts I’ve listened to (and I’ve been listening to A LOT). Sometimes my vegan transition has felt a little… overwhelming. Hearing that “progress over perfection” is ok, and learning about the varying stories that brought people to veganism (her guests are awesome!), is so inspiring.

Reading, Watching, Listening | Labor Day Weekend was last modified: September 3rd, 2018 by LNWC

Or, at least, almost reading – it just came out and I’m saving it for my vacation. I absolutely loved Weir’s The Martian, and am hoping for the same combination of sarcastic humor and “oh **** are they going to make it?!” tension.

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Oh hey, I finally started listening to audiobooks. I am woefully behind the time in this regard, but I couldn’t help listening to the onslaught of amazing podcasts that we’ve been so lucky to get the past few years.

This was really enjoyable and I found it super relatable. Not in an “I’m also a hilarious and likable mega-star” way, obviously, but in an “I recognize that particular brand of anxiety” kind of way.

Given the choice, the audiobook is totally the way to go – Kendrick actually reads it herself, and her timing really adds something to the hilarity of it all.

Did you know that art is the 4th largest segment of the world’s black market? I’ve heard the stories of the impressive multi-million dollar thefts from high-profile museums, but what I didn’t realize is how prevalent theft is at all levels of the art world. Looters have been selling off the cultural heritage of others for a profit since Ancient Egypt – and that hasn’t changed in modern years. This may be non-fiction, but it sometimes reads like a movie. Plus, Margaret Atwood is on the cover recommending it, so… you know it’s good.

Watching

Will and Grace, for obvious reasons. Get thee to Hulu, catch up, and let’s watch some reunion TV.

Is the Mona Lisa on display at the Louvre a fake? Did the CIA funnel money into abstract expressionism in order to help win the Cold War? These and many more questions are just a few of the weird and intriguing questions that Artcurious tackles in a one hour podcast. I’m on a bit of an art history kick lately, so finding this gem was great for when I’m in the mood to learn something interesting and, admittedly, pretty nerdy.

This book has everything: espionage, mystery, and even buried treasure. The best part? It’s all true. The Code Book takes you on a fast-paced tour through the history of ciphers and code-breaking, using real-life examples from Mary Queen of Scots to modern-day cartels and criminals.

Don’t let the textbook-sounding title scare you off – the author, Simon Singh, has a gift for storytelling and breaking down complex concepts into interesting and digestible bits of information. At least give the free preview a shot, I promise it will grab you!

Random Read: The Code Book was last modified: February 3rd, 2018 by LNWC

About Me

LNWC, the Sampler

When I was little I wanted to be a ballerina. And White House Press Secretary. Maybe a vet. And an Architect...
Turns out I became a graphic designer, but I still like to know a little about everything. This is why my family jokingly calls me "the sampler", a nickname I have embraced.
So... here's an account of the random adventures, hobbies, travels, obsessions, lessons, etc.